Darien, CT – During the past two weeks over 20 car burglaries and
two stolen vehicles have been reported in Darien. In all of these incidents the vehicles were
left unlocked and the ignition keys were in the vehicles that were stolen. On February 22, 2017 the Darien Police
Department Selective Enforcement Unit, Detective Division, and Patrol Division
conducted a joint surveillance operation targeting the car theft suspects.

At approximately 1:00am today, undercover officers
observed a male subject exiting the driveway of a Post Rd residence in close
proximity to the Stamford Town line. Numerous
recent car burglaries have occurred in this area. The subject was detained by officers and
identified as a 17 year old male from Stamford.
Through investigation it was determined that two nearby vehicles had
been burglarized and the juvenile had proceeds from the burglaries in his
possession.

As the investigation continued, officers developed
information leading to a second suspect who had fled the scene. Selective Enforcement Unit officers then met
with officers from the Stamford Police Department and were able to locate the
second suspect at his residence in Stamford.
The second suspect was also a 17 year old male. Both juveniles were taken into custody and
transported to Darien Police Headquarters for booking.

Further investigation revealed that the juvenile suspect
#1 was responsible for numerous Darien burglaries and the theft of a 2011 Land
Rover LR4 from Darien on February 16th. The Stamford Police Department arrested juvenile
#1 when he was discovered driving in it on February 18th. Additional arrests are expected in that
incident.

Juvenile #1 was fully processed and charged for 14
counts of Burglary 3rd Degree based on his involvement in incidents
that have occurred over the past week.
Juvenile #2 was fully processed and charged for 2 counts of Burglary 3rd
Degree for his involvement in the incidents that occurred this morning. During processing juvenile #1 admitted to
needing to acquire money for narcotics.
He was quoted as saying “Everyone knows you can go to Darien to get
money,” referring to the amount of unlocked vehicles containing
valuables and ignition keys that are present there.

Both juveniles were released to their parents and are
scheduled to appear in court on February 28, 2017 at 9:00am. The Stamford Police Department Youth Bureau
has indicated they will be following up with both juveniles and will be
charging them for their involvement in numerous incidents that recently occurred
in Stamford.

During the surveillance operation, three other Stamford
men were observed dressed in all black and running along the Post Rd near the
Stamford Town line. They were also detained by undercover officers. Although these subjects all had significant
criminal histories involving violent felonies, there was no probable cause to
connect them to any recent criminal history and they were released from the
scene. It is presumed that the officers
who detained these subjects located them prior to them having any opportunity
to engage in criminal activity. This
information was also passed along to the Stamford Police Department.

The investigation into the current car theft and burglary
problem in our area by the Darien Police Department will remain ongoing. It will involve additional surveillance
operations, the deployment of additional
manpower, and the networking with surrounding agencies including the Stamford
Superior Court and Stamford Office of Juvenile Probation. Again the Darien Police Department continues
to implore residents to secure your vehicles. Do not leave valuables
in your vehicles and never leave your ignition keys behind. Thank you.